As Anaya entered the drawing room after finishing her dinner, she was greeted by the familiar hum of lively conversation. The elders were deep in discussion, their voices blending together in a comforting rhythm. Azaan and Azlaan sat nearby, listening attentively, occasionally adding to the conversation. At the door leading to the garden, Aqsa was trying to convince Ayaan and Ayaat of something, her hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke. Intrigued, Anaya decided to join them, curious about the topic at hand.
"Kya hua?" Anaya asked as she approached the group.
"Dekhiya nah, Anaa api. Soch rahe the hum sab milke chadh pein gappe marenge par koyi nahi maan rahe hai," Aqsa whined, her tone filled with frustration.
"Aqsa, kitni baar kahun mera exams hai, mujhe parna hoga" Ayaat explained, her voice patient but firm.
"Api, exam jayega aur ayega. Zindagi mein masti kaam nahi hona chahiye," Aqsa replied nonchalantly, clearly uninterested in Ayaat's exam.
Ayaat rolled her eyes and quickly left for the drawing room, knowing that Aqsa wouldn't dare to argue further in front of Dadajaan. Sometimes, Ayaat wondered how someone could be so stubborn. Aqsa always wanted things her way, no matter what.
Seeing Ayaat retreat, Ayaan also made an attempt to slip away.
"Ayaan bhaijaan, rukiye" Aqsa called out just before he could leave. "Aapka bhi kya final chal raha hai aur yeh phir biwi jahan nahi hote abhi wahan nahi hote" she mocked, clearly amused.
"Aisa kuch nahi, Aqsa. Kal weekend hota toh reh leta. Uske ilawa bohot kaam mein humari company kuch naya product launch kar rahi hai, uske liye bohot busy hoon. Toh jaldi sona hai" Ayaan replied in one breath, managing to slip away before Aqsa could protest further.
"Yaar, teri toh ijjat hi nahi rahi" Anaya couldn't stop laughing, thoroughly entertained by Aqsa's persistence and Ayaan's quick getaway.
"Anaa api, aap mera mazak udaa rahi hein?" Aqsa asked, stomping her foot in frustration.
"Chalo, Aqsa, ghussa na karo" Anaya said, giving her sister a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Sab actually mein bohot busy hain."
"Haan, isliye yaha beth ke saap gappe laa rahe hain" Aqsa sighed dramatically. "Iss ghar mein kisi ki meri parwa nahi hein."
Anaya smiled at her sister's theatrics. "Kisi aur din chadh beth ke gappe larayenge. For now, let's join the others in the drawing room before Dadajaan scolds us."
"Woh toh humesha hi daat te hain" Aqsa murmured under her breath.
The two cousins walked towards the drawing room, where the elders were engaged in animated conversation. The room was warm with family laughter and camaraderie. Anaya and Aqsa took their places to listen in.
"...aur aisa hi humne uss business ko dubne se bacha yah" Dadajaan was saying, his eyes twinkling as he recounted an old story.
"Wow, Dadajaan, that's impressive" Azaan said genuinely impressed.
"Tab ke samay bohot alag tha" Dadajaan reminisced, his voice softening as he recalled the past.
"Par abhi sab log business ethics aur morals sab bhul gaye hain" he added, his tone growing more serious.
"Haan, Dadajaan, woh Mirza Enterprise ko dekh lijiye" Ayaan interjected.
"Jo bhi woh kare, aap log apne ethics aur moral nahi bhulenge. Aapke abbu logon ne nah bhula nah humne bhula hai" Dadajaan addressed his grandson.
He then turned his gaze to Anaya and Aqsa, "Aap dono ko bhi bol rahe hain hum."
"Ji, Dadajaan" they replied in unison, though neither of them fully understood what was happening.
